Joe and Carl Newsome reported on meeting with the Zilker Neighborhood Association traffic calming committee and the City regarding traffic measures. The current plan developed by the City and the Zilker group of speed humps and stop signs will proceed except for the two speed humps on Robert E. Lee between Barton Hills Drive and Barton Springs Road. The Zilker committee and one from Barton Hills will meet to work on alternatives which could include measures such as 20 mph speed limit at certain times (as along Barton Springs Road in Zilker Park), safer pedestrian paths, etc. After the joint committee has reached a decision, residents of both neighborhoods will vote. The City is taking the responsibility for any decision regarding all-way stops at Robert E. Lee and Barton Hills Drive.

To form the committee to meet with the Zilker one Joe will contact those who showed an interest in the issue on the neighborhood survey, those who sent e-mails on the subject, and any one else who may be interested in serving. Carl Newsome, as head of the Transportation Committee, will be on the committee, and Joe will be an ex-officio member.

Gloria Hill has a list serve set up and ready to go to communicate information within the neighborhood. There was discussion as to who should be on the list; it was decided to begin with paid members and perhaps go on to include all residents. It was decided that the task of maintaining the list be that of the Association treasurer since that person maintains the electronic list of members.

The Sunken Gardens project did not receive a grant from the Austin Parks Foundation. The SOS Alliance has given the Association $1000 for the project to add to the $200 it already has. We need to learn whether the committee has a need for this money at this time. Perhaps grants from other sources such as the University, the federal government, and the local historical society could be applied for to make the restoration of Sunken Gardens a reality.

The Austin Parks Foundation also denied the application for a grant to complete the trail in Zilker Park in the vicinity of Robert E. Lee and Barton Hills Drive. Joe will make one more attempt to get the City to provide the materials for the job if the neighborhood supplies the volunteer labor.

John Bell announced that so far the Association has received $235 to be forwarded to Officer Jones’ family. At the October meeting he proposes to request that the Association match the amount of individual donations received.